Material handling mechanism



April 16, 1935'. N. D. LEVIN 1,997,589

MATERIAL HANDLING MECHANISM Original Filed April 30, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet l April 1935- N. D. LEVIN 1,997,589

MATERIAL HANDLING MECHANI SM Original Filed April 30, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 77 5 5 '14) i i :l m 5 4Q 50 q b5 b 0 F18 U 45 73 M b 7% j e q 4? 4s 0 61 as 24 f 5 14 67 u e1 3 82 aa 3 8b 9" 85 \80 I 9i 7 9 Aim/5A April 16, 1935. N. D. LEVIN MATERIAL HANDLING MECHANISM Original Filed April 50,' 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 M15 D Zea/ 0 April 16, 1935- D. LEVIN 1,997,589

MATERIAL HANDLING MECHANISM Original Filed April 30, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 wwvm 1 M75 p. Lav/0..

Patented Apr. 16, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MATERIAL HANDLING MECHANISM Nils D. Levin, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to The Jeffrey Manufacturing Company, Columbus, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application April 30, 1930, Serial No. 448,626 Renewed January 9, 1935 4 Claims. (Cl. 198-8) The present invention relates to a loading ma- Figures 7 a d 3 a p a views of the machine chine, and particularly to a machine of this class in two operating positions. adapted to be moved about a mine over the mine Figu e 9 iS a p n w of the machine artracks and positioned thereon to load out materanged for long a W rk. rial from the various workings. Figure 10 is a d and r 5 The general characteristics ofthe machine ac- Figure 11 is another view of the machine ar cording to the present invention are: a truckanged for lon Wa l Work. mounted discharge conveyor having a receiving AS has been mentioned, the P t ach e end adapted to be positioned in proximity to the' comprises generally a discharge nv y r, nd

10 mine track and a delivery end adapted to deliver h ing Conveyor Which have b indicated 10 at elevated points to the rear of the truck, the On the drawings as A and p v y Th conveyor being swingable relative to the truck discharge v y A S the same (with some about both vertical and horizontal axes; a gathadditions, as Will hereinafter pp as the P ering conveyor having its delivery end pivote car loader described and claimed in my copend- 15 to and above the receiving end of the discharge ing application, Serial 336,647, fi August 15 conveyor for swinging movement in vertical and 17th, 1929, in the ted States Patent oflice. horizontal planes relative to the latter and for only a brief description of this o v yo un t w tilting movement about its own longitudinal axis; thus b necessarya pony truck adapted to be positioned beneath Referring Particularly to F e 3 an a 20 and placed in temporary connection with the truc frame 0 is provided with wheels as at 2| 20 gathering conveyor when the machine is to be and 22 adapted to engage a e track of which transported from place to place in the mine; a one of the rails is Shown at 23. Mounted on jib mounted on the receiving end of the discharge f a or tu le 0 s a frame 24 fo p vota conveyor and extending above the gathering conmovement about a vertical pivot defined by ring 25 veyor; hoisting tackle connecting the jib and 25, Figure 3. A S t 26 is j u d in e in 25 the gathering conveyor; and power devices for of frame 24, and pivotal ut is Sh ft is a operating the conveyors, for operating the hoistconveyor trough 21. The delivery end 21' of ing devices, for swinging the gathering conveyor the conveyor trough is pivoted to the forward in horizontal planes relative to the discharge end about a shaft 28, and res s n a bolster 19 30 conveyor to engage it in material to be loaded out, w ch s Vertically adjustable 0n th ed ods 30 and for propelling the conveyor supporting means 30 depending from the ends of brackets 3| fixed over the mine tracks. This general organization to the extremity of the forward portion of is fully described and claimed inmy copending trough 21. application Serial No. 480,216, filed September 6, An electric motor 32 mounted on frame 24 5 1930. The present application is concerned with drives a countershaft 33 through a sprocket chain 35 such a conveyor combination wherein means are 34. An idler sprocket 35 engages the chain to provided for maintaining the gathering ,conhold it clear of a winding drum 03 and its control veyor at an angle to the discharge conveyor for appurtenances, Figures 3 and 4. A sprocket gathering material alongside the path of move- (not shown) on shaft 33 engages a sprocket chain ment of the machine. 36, which is in driving connection with a sprocket 40 Without further discussion of the general fea- 31 freely revoluble on shaft 26. Sprocket3'l may tures of the invention, I shall proceed to debe placed in driving relation with shaft 26 by scribe it with reference to the illustrative emengaging clutch elements 38 and 39, Figure 3. bodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, Sprockets 40 and 4| fixed on shaft 26 engage the in which: lower runs of conveyor chains 42 and 43 to drive 45 Figure 1 is a side elevation of the rear end of the latter, these chains being connected by means the mach ne, o discharge onveyor section. of flights 44, which on the upper run of the chain Figure 2 is a side elevation of the front end pass over the bottom of trough 21 to propel maof the machine, or the gathering conveyor secterial therealong.

tion. A shaft 45 journaled in frame 24 beneath'shaft 50 Figure 3 is a section on line 3--3 of Figure 1. 26 has keyed on its one end a sprocket 46 con-- Figure 4 is a section on line 6-4 of Figure 1. nected by means of a chain 41 with a sprocket 48 Figure 5 is an enlarged view of certain clutch integral with the hub of sprocket 31. A sheave and brake mechanism appearing in Figure 1. 49 freely revoluble on shaft 45 may be driven Figure 6 is a section on line 6-43 of Figure 2. by the latter upon engagement of clutch elements 66 and 6|, this sheave engaging a universally flexible chain 62 which is passed downwardly centrally of pivot ring 26 in engagement with sheaves 66 and 66 journaled beneath truck frame 26, and forwardly and rearwardly to engage sheaves 66 and 66 fixed to the axles of wheels 2| and 22.

Due to the described arrangement, the discharge conveyor is not only angularly adiustable as to its forward and rear sections about shaft 26, but it is also adjustable as a whole relative to the truck frame 26 about the horizontal axis defined by shaft 26 and the vertical axis defined by ring 26. Further, the conveyor may be driven by the motor in any of its adjusted positions as may also the truck wheels, a self-contained unit being thus defined.

Referring particularly to Figures 3, 4 and 5, shaft 66 has a reduced end 66' to which is keyed one element 66 of a cone-clutch, this element being secured on the shaft by means of a cap screw 6! and washer 62. Loosely mounted on shaft 66 immediately adjacent element 66 is a drum 66 having formed integral with one side wall thereof, a conical flange 66 for cooperation with element 66. The opposite wall of the drum has integral therewith a cylindrical flange or pulley 66 with which is adapted to cooperate a brake band 66.

The hub of the drum within flange 66 is provided with a peripheral shoulder 61 behind which is engaged an internal peripheral flange 66 of a two-part sleeve 66 slidable on the external surface of a bearing 66' for shaft 66. Sleeve 66 has diametrically opposite integral studs 16 and 1| engaged in longitudinal slots formed in arms 12 and 16 of a shipper member pivoted at one end on a pin 16 mounted in a bracket fixed to frame 26. A prolongation of arm 16 is pivoted through a longitudinally extending slot to a nut 16 which is engaged on a screw-threaded portion 16 of a shaft 11 journaled in frame 26 parallel to shaft 66. Shaft 11 at its ends is provided with cranks 16 and 16, respectively, so that the shaft may be rotated from either side of the machine. It will be evident that rotation of shaft 11 will cause nut 16 to travel along threaded portion 16, thus oscillating the shipper member and causing axial displacement of sleeve 66 in one direction or the other on shaft 66. Due to the .connection between sleeve 66 and drum 66, the latter is forcedto' follow the movements of the former, so that by proper manipulation of the crank 16 or 16, clutch elements 66 and 66 may be engaged or disengaged. Flange 66 is sufilciently wide so as never to pass out of fully cooperating relation with band 66.

Referring particularly to Fig. 5, a lever 66 is fixed at its lower end on a shaft 6I which extends parallel to shaft 66 and is mounted between parallel walls of the bracket already mentioned as supporting the shipper, the outer of these walls being shown at 62. At its end opposite to that shown in Figure 5, shaft 6| is Journaled in the side wall of frame 26. One end of band 66 engages shaft 6I, while the other end is secured to one end of a connecting'member 66 whose other end is pivoted to a pin 66 carried by lever 66 parallel to shaft 6I, but spaced from the latter 1ongitudinally of the lever. It will be apparent that oscillation of lever 66 will tension or loosen band 66 as desired. In order that the band may be held in a tensioned position a toothed-member 66 is fixed to the side of the frame in position to cooperate with a dog-point 66 mounted on lever 66.

A cross brace 61 extends between lever 66 and a similar lever 66 fixed to shaft II on the other side of the machine so that the brake may be operated from either side of the machine. Levers 66 and 66 are of spring material, and thus yieldable to permit disengagement of elements 66 and 66.

Trough 21 at its forward end extends downward in proximity to the track rails, and has a forward portion 21" adapted to assume a substantially horizontal position immediately above the rails. At substantially the end of the downwardly extending portion of the trough 21, there is erected an upright frame generally denoted at 66, this frame being composed of structural steel parts.

On a laterally projecting horizontal plate I26 secured to trough 21 forwardly of drum 66 and on the same side of the machine as the latter are mounted on vertical axes two sheaves I2| and I22, Figs. 1 and 8. On the other side of the trough directly opposite these sheaves is a sheave I26 mounted on a vertical axis on a plate I26 secured to the-trough, Fig. 8.

In order that the forward end of the conveyor trough may be properly supported, I have provided a pair of brackets as at I26, Fig. l, secured to the lower ends of transversely opposite uprights of frame 66, respectively, and supporting flanged rollers as at I6I on transverse horizontal pins as at I62, Fig. 9. Boilers I66 and HI are adapted to rest upon and engage the track rails when the machine is in loading positions.

At the forward end of trough section 21" and on the underside thereof is secured a vertical pivot member I66, Fig. 2, which is engaged by one end of an arm I66 having an expanded vertical web portion I66 adapted to swing about the forward end of the trough. Justabove the top of the trough web I66 has secured thereto a horizontal angle bar I66 on the lower side of the horizontal web of which is mounted a centrally disposed lug I61. To the end of the conveyor trough and at its top is secured a circular casting I66 having a peripheral upstanding rib I66 which forms a'guide for lug I61. Casting I66 and rib I66 are adapted to support any weight imposed thereon through bar I 66.

The gathering conveyor B, Figs. 2 and 6, comprises a bottom plate I66 bent upward at one end so as to be adaptedto project above the receiving end of the discharge conveyor A with its forward portion in substantially horizontal position. Extending longitudinally of plate I66 and secured thereto substantially centrally thereof are upper and lower chain guides HI and I62 spaced apart by means of blocks I66. Guides I and I62 are provided with opposed longitudinal grooves I 66 and I66, in which are engaged elements of a chain I66 which is flexible in planes both parallel and perpendicular to plate I66. At intervals, flights I61 are secured to chain I66 to project laterally of plate I66 so as to propel material' therealong and on one side or the other. of the chain guiding means depending upon the direction of travel of the chain. A plate I66 is secured to the tops of the upper chain guide members HI, and extending longitudinally and centrally of plate I66 is an upright baiiie plate I66. At its forward end plate I66 terminates at an upright post I66 having an upper bifurcated end, Fig. 2. At its rearward end the plate terminates in a block I6I in which are mounted on a horizontal transverse axis a pair of sheaves I62.

In a casting I66 at the rear end of thegathering conveyor and mounted upon the chain guides is journaled a shaft I54 in perpendicular relation to baseplate I40. -On the lower end of shaft I54 is fixed a sprocket I55 which engages chain I to drive the latter. To the upper end of shaft I54 is keyed a bevel gear I55 engaged by a bevel pinion I5'l keyed to the end of a shaft I55 journaled in a bearing I59. A reversible motor I is mounted on the tops of the chain guides with its armature shaft in alignment with shaft I and in driving connection therewith through a coupling I5I.

The inclined portion of conveyor B is provided with upwardly extending side plates I52 and I53 to hold the coal on plate I40 as it travels up the incline, the rearward end of plate I40 being cut away, as indicated at I54, to permit the coal to drop readily into the receiving end of the discharge conveyor trough. Due to its disposition, gear I55 is adapted to engage and assist in propelling the coal from the gathering to the discharge conveyor.

A casting I54 secured to the underside of plate I40 at its rearward end has integral therewith a pair of trunnions of which one is shown at I55, Fig. 4, these resting on the angle member I35 and being engaged by retaining angles as at I55. It will be noted that the trunnions are so journaled as to give them a considerable freedom of movement in an upward direction relative to the mounting member constituted by elements I34, I35 and I35.

A boom I I2 is pivoted on a vertical axis on the upper forward end of frame 59 and is adapted to extend above the gathering conveyor. A rope I59 having one of its ends engageable with drum 53 may have its other end portion reeved about suitable pulleys and lead from the end of the boom II2 downward to pulleys I5| and I52 on the gathering conveyor. By suitable manipulation of the drum, the gathering conveyor may be elevated as for disposition on a pony truck for transportation. This arrangement is fully described in my above mentioned application, Serial No.- 480,216. Due to the pivoting of the boom and the gathering conveyor, the latter may be swung about its pivot I33 in elevated position, the placing of the last named pivot being such relative to the delivery end of the gathering conveyor, as to maintain the latter always in proper delivering position relative to the receiving end of the discharge conveyor.

According to Figs. '7 and 8, the discharge conveyor A is disposed on a straight track section and supported by means of its truck mounting, and also by means of rollers I35 and I3 I. The gathering conveyor 13 rests on the mine floor in advance of the track, and is being sumped into a mass of material through a rope I54 secured at its forward end to a roof-jack I55 and its rearward end engaged with drum 53 for winding thereon. The intermediate portion of the rope is guided clear of the machine by sheave I22. When the horizontal'portion of conveyor B has been sumped into the material, a -jack'l55 is placed to the left of the machine, rope I54 is reaved around sheaves HI and I23 as shown in Fig. 13, around a pulley 151 having its block I55 anchored to Jack I55, and its forward end caught in the upper slotted end of post I50, an eye I59 fixed to the end of the rope preventing the latter from pulling away from the post. Upon exerting tension on the rope through manipulation of the winding drum, conveyor B may be swung to the left to engage its gathering end laterally in the material. Upon the completion of this operation, jack I55 may be moved to the right of the machine and rope I 54 trained around sheave I22 and pulley -I 51 to swing conveyor B to the right, the direction of rotation of motor I50 being reversed.

Rope I54 being secured to conveyor B at the top of post I50 has a tendency to tilt the conveyor about its longitudinal axis, this tendency being accommodated readily by the bearings for trunnions I55. This tilting of the gathering conveyor gives it a superior scraping action, and allows it to engage itself readily under the material and leave a clean floor. It is, of course, understood that the operations described in connection with Figs. 12 and 13. are merely suggestive, and that the machine may be operated in various other ways.

' Under some conditions of long wall work, it is desirable that means be provided for rigidly maintaining conveyor section B in rectangular relation to discharge section A. Under these conditions, bailie I49 is interrupted so that a yoke I90 may be fixed on plate I45, Figs. 9 and 10, the yoke being provided at its top with an aperture I9I. Plate 124 is extended as at I24 and provided with an aperture in which is adapted to be inserted the bent end of a bar I92 whose other similarly bent end may be inserted in aperture I9I. The extremities of bar I 92 are provided with collars I93 and I94 retained in position by means of cotter pins. A post I95 is mounted on the gathering conveyor intermediate yoke I90 and the pivoting axis of the conveyor, and the end of cable I59 is adapted to be caught in the eye of this post, an intermediate portion of the cable being reaved in a block I95 hung on a jack I 91 to the opposite side of the track from the gathering conveyor. Upon winding the cable on drum 53, the machine is advanced along the track to engage the gathering conveyor in material to the side thereof. Bar I92 has its ends loosely engaged in the apertures above mentioned. so that the tilting of the gathering conveyor is not interfered with.

When block I95 can be conveniently positioned on the same side of the track as the gathering conveyor, the cable extremity may be caught in the eye of post I50, and the drum end of the cascribed a specific embodiment of my invention,

I do not limit myselfexcept as determined in the following claims:

I' claim:

.1. In a machine of the class described, a movable frame, an elongated conveyor having a piv otal connection at one end with said frame whereby the conveyor is horizontally swingable relative to the frame to engage the conveyor laterally in material to be gathered and freely tiltable through a limited range about its longitudinal axis toward the material, means for locking the conveyor to the frame in angularly projecting relation to the line of movement of the latter with the conveyor tiltable about its longitudinal axis, and means for propelling the framewith the conveyor in such relation to engage the latter in the material to be gathered, said locking means serving to maintain the conveyor in its angular relation to the frame against the resistance of the material.

2. In a machine of the class described, a movable frame, an elongated conveyor having a pivotal connection at one end with said frame whereby the conveyor is horizontally swingable relative tothe frame to engage the conveyor laterally in material to be gathered and freely tiltable through a limited range about its longitudinal axis toward the material, the conveyor having a portion provided with an upwardly open aperture, a horizontally extending bar connected at one end to the frame and having at its other end a vertically extending portion loosely insertable in said aperture to maintain the conveyor in angularly projecting relation to the line of movement of said frame while permitting it to tilt about its longitudinal axis, and means for propelling the frame with the conveyor in such relation.

3. In a machine of the class described, a movable frame, an elongated conveyor having a pivotal connection at one end with said frame whereby the conveyor is horizontally swingable relative to the frame to engage the conveyor laterally in material to be gathered, and freely tiltable through a limited range about its longitudinal axis toward the material, readily disconnectible means for locking the conveyor to the frame in angularly projecting relation to the line of movement of the latter, a winding drum on the frame, means for rotating said drum, and a rope windable on said drum and connected to said conveyor above the tilting axis of the latter with its intermediate portion trained around guide means external to the machine, the rope being tensioned upon rotation of the drum to swing said conveyor relative to said frame, or, with said locking means effective, to advance said frame and conveyor to engage the latter in the material to be gathered, said locking means serving to maintain angular relation of the conveyor to the frame against the resistance of the material.

4. In a machine of the class described, a movable frame, an elongated conveyor having a pivotal connection at one end with said frame whereby the conveyor is horizontally swingable relative to the frame to engage the conveyor laterally in material to be gathered, and freely tiltable through a limited range about its longitudinal axis toward the material, readily disconnectible means for locking the. conveyor to the frame in angularly projecting relation to the line of movement of the latter, a winding drum on the frame, means for rotating said drum, and a rope windable on said drum and connected to said conveyor above the tilting axis of the latter with its intermediate portion trained around guide means external to the machine, the rope being tensioned upon rotation of the drum to swing said conveyor relative to said frame, or, with said looking means effective, to advance said frame and conveyor to engage the latter in the material to be gathered, said locking means serving to maintain angular relation of the conveyor to the frame against the resistance of the material, the rope being guided from the drum on the side of the machine opposite the conveyor when the latter is in locked position, and being connected to the conveyor at a point removed from its pivot.

NILB D. LEVIN. 

